Employee wellbeing has become a hot topic over the past few years, and for good reason.
Taking care of your employees’ wellbeing not only benefits their personal health but also your business productivity. It can help reduce absenteeism, increase engagement and motivation and improve overall job satisfaction.
And, while there are certainly activities that one can engage in to improve wellbeing, employers have a critical role to play in creating a healthy and supportive workplace.
In this blog, we’ll discuss five helpful strategies to support employee wellbeing year-round.
1. Prioritise work-life balance:
Promoting a good work-life balance means that your employees have enough time to enjoy their personal lives, which in turn leads to a happier and more productive work life.
Encourage your team to take breaks throughout the day, and adopt a flexible work schedule to ensure they have the time to do so.
Offering remote working opportunities where this is feasible and practical can also improve work-life balance and reduce unnecessary stress.
2. Encourage physical activity:
Regular exercise has many benefits, including reducing stress, improving focus and productivity and promoting better overall health.
Encourage your employees to participate in physical activities such as walking, cycling, yoga classes, running clubs, or fitness challenges. If you are fortunate enough, consider having on-site fitness amenities, such as a gym, or offering discounts or subsidies for local gym memberships.
3. Provide healthy food and drink options:
Unhealthy food can negatively affect the body and mind.
Providing healthy food options, like fresh fruit and vegetables, can help fuel your team’s productivity and overall health. Plus, this supports them financially by offering nutritional alternatives that may be more expensive outside of work.
Consider offering healthy snacks or organising a weekly lunch with healthier options.
4. Emphasise mental health support:
Mental health is just as important as physical health, if not more.
Employers need to recognise this fact and provide access to mental health support and resources, including counselling services, yoga or meditation sessions, or even an Employee Assistance Programme.
Offering flexible working hours and reducing overtime can also help ease the stress that may contribute to employees’ mental health problems.
5. Use Benefits Cloud:
If you’ve managed to implement all four proactive strategies mentioned above, then it’s time to take things up a notch.
With Benefits Cloud, you can offer your employees a comprehensive benefits platform that includes exclusive discounts on health and wellbeing products and services.
These benefits range from discounted gym memberships to free mental health services. By giving your employees access to Benefits Cloud, you are not only showing your appreciation for your staff, but you are also supporting their overall health and wellbeing.
There are proactive strategies that you can implement to support your employee’s wellbeing year-round. By incorporating a mix of these strategies, you can create a positive and supportive work environment that promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Remember, happy and healthy employees lead to increased productivity, reduced turnover rates and improved company culture.